this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2026
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Everyday Carry. What essentials do you carry on a daily basis?

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What do you carry on a daily basis?

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Newbie asking feedback for deciding on a wallet (programming.dev)
submitted 3 days ago by throwaway403@programming.dev to c/edc@sopuli.xyz
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Hi y'all!

After using classic bifold wallets for the longest time, I switched it up last year and bought a cheap 'modern' alternative instead. The experience I had with it, gave me valuable insight on what works for me and the direction I'd like to explore next. Below you may find what it boils down to:

  • A small volume is required. I don't think I'll consider something bigger than the wallets found below.
  • Card capacity of at least 7 cards. More (to an extent) is better for future-proofing.
  • The bill compartment should 'comfortably' accommodate unfolded bills with size 160 x 77 (in mm).
  • I think I can live with just a small coin compartment.
  • Easy/premium access (and back-insertion) for at least 1 or 2 cards.
  • I love closures to be safe, sound and secure. This doesn't only apply to the wallet as a whole, but also for its compartments.

With the above criteria (and plenty of searching), I found the following wallets (in alphabetical order):

  • Allett Coin Wallet 2.0 (link)
  • EXENTRI Multiwallet (link)
  • The Frenchie Co. Speed Wallet Mini - Aroma Collection (with Essentials Pocket) (link)
  • STUDIUM timik (link)

I would love to hear any feedback on these wallets. Furthermore, I'm more than willing to accept any other suggestions/products. Thanks in advance! Much appreciated!

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[–] FauxPseudo@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Coin capacity is highly overrated. You put your wallet in a pocket. Coins can also go in the pocket. You still have to dig around to find the right number of coins for the task, regardless of which method you choose.

Most people don't a second card storage area. Cards come in a lot of colors these days and it is very easy to spot the one you're looking for from the edge. You will quickly adapt to spotting the one you need from the general pool instead of having a dedicated section for other cards.

Don't underestimate the value of RFID blocking.

I used to have a wallet with all the pockets for all the cards. Now I have a cheap carbon fiber two plate wallet that's held together by elastic. It takes up practically no space in my pocket. It's been great for over a decade.

The bigger the wallet capacity the more you will fill it. You really don't need all those cards. You don't need your insurance card. Car or medical. They can look that stuff up when you get there. You don't need your discount cards. You can type in your phone number. You probably don't need your library card. They can look it up with your phone number This one's going to sound a little judgy but you don't need more than two or three credit/debit cards. You can move funds on your phone and if you're constantly juggling between multiple bank accounts then there's probably another issue going on.

The one downside of this is that your basic two panel elastic wallet kind of sucks for cash. But I don't use a lot of cash anymore.

A basic seven card wallet is all most people need.

[–] throwaway403@programming.dev 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thank you for your thoughts!

Coin capacity is highly overrated.

I personally agree with this.

You put your wallet in a pocket. Coins can also go in the pocket. You still have to dig around to find the right number of coins for the task, regardless of which method you choose.

But the idea of loose objects in my pocket doesn't sit well with me. Perhaps it's a me-issue; I only use my front pockets. Ever. So, the coins would (probably) reside together with other objects: could be phone, keys, or wallet. The thought that coins may slip/come out of my pocket whenever I'm grabbing something else horrifies me. It's not even about the unnecessary loss of money, but the fact that my EDC doesn't provide a robust solution to it.

I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. Hence, I'd rather be over-prepared instead of under-prepared. Even if this causes friction with minimalism. Thankfully, a wallet like say Frenchie Co.'s Speed Wallet Mini proves to me that a minimal coin pocket shouldn't be too much to ask.

Don’t underestimate the value of RFID blocking.

I used to be a die-hard RFID fan. But Walletopia's videos on the topic led me to believe it's more nuanced. However, I wouldn't be surprised if my understanding is still severely lacking. So please feel free to educate me 🙂.

FWIW, all the wallets mentioned in the post offer RFID in some capacity.

Regarding your thoughts on card storage areas, they do resonate with me. I believe this is somewhat reflected in the shortlist:

  • STUDIUM timik basically has two pockets/slots for cards. One of which is supposed to work as a quick access slot, the other is larger and is able to contain like half a dozen cards or so.
  • The Frenchie Co.'s Speed Wallet Mini doesn't even have single-card pockets/slots. Instead, it has two high-duty pockets/slots that demand three cards each.

I believe this is the primary reason why they can have such a small footprint while being very thin still. (The EXENTRI Multiwallet has a considerably larger footprint than both. Allett Coin Wallet 2.0's footprint is even massive.)

The bigger the wallet capacity the more you will fill it. You really don’t need all those cards.

I agree. Currently, there are only 4 (type of) cards I'd like to carry:

  • Bank cards
  • Public transit cards
  • Identification cards
  • Tracker cards

And it's very much possible that I'll only carry one of each. Tracker cards are thicker than regular cards, though. So, effectively, even with just one of each, it'll be as if I'm carrying ~5-6 cards.

The one downside of this is that your basic two panel elastic wallet kind of sucks for cash. But I don’t use a lot of cash anymore.

I still need my cash 😜. But thanks for mentioning it!

[–] FauxPseudo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As far as RFID goes I said don't underestimate it. But I could have also said don't overestimate. You are correct. It is nuanced.

Do your pants have a change pocket?

[–] throwaway403@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago

Do your pants have a change pocket?

Hehe, most of them do. So, I suppose I got my answer. I'm not sure how robust it is, though. Perhaps I should buy pants that do a better job at keeping it shut.

[–] fourish@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I largely agree and tried to slim down my wallet and it was a big improvement having just a small MagSafe one.

  1. Drivers license (required to have physical license here, a fine if you don’t have it while driving)
  2. main credit card
  3. transit card

I also have an EDC bag that has

  • backup credit card
  • a few small bills
  • my car’s keycard
  • flashlight
  • pocketknife
  • pencil & pen
  • sharpie
  • shopping cart releaser (for pay carts)
  • earplugs
  • toothpick
  • i should put a lockpick or two in but I keep them in my car

In hindsight I could probably ditch my wallet altogether and just go with the EDC, it fits comfortably in my front pocket even with all that stuff.

[–] FauxPseudo@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

  • I keep my lock picks in my main tool bag. Which is in the car about half the time anyway.

  • Pocket knife, hooked to pocket. I don't want to have to move anything to get to it.

  • Flashlight, I use my cell phone. If I need bigger then I have a cordless power tool version in the tool bag.

  • Keys, multi tooled. I got tired of jingling keys.